Agitator for solventless extraction of cannabis essential oils

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for extracting cannabis essential oils. A housing is provided for containing trichome material from a cannabis plant, the housing having a sealable opening. A rotatable impeller is disposed in the housing. A container is connected to the housing for collecting essential oils. The process for extracting cannabis essential oils includes the steps of introducing trichome material from the cannabis plant into the housing, introducing water and ice into the housing via an opening therein, and agitating the water and ice and the trichome material to separate and extract essential oils therefrom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to solventless extraction of cannabisessential oils and, more particularly, to providing a method and anapparatus having an impeller therein for agitating water and biologicaltrichomes to separate and extract essential oils therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cannabis extract has wide-ranging beneficial effects on a number ofmedical conditions. Chronic pain has been shown to be controlled by useof cannabis. Use of a topical application of cannabis extract in dermalpenetrating cream has been effective in relieving chronic painconditions of arthritis and tendonitis. The use of a topical applicationof the extract in a penetrating cream formulation allows the medicationto directly affect the local receptor sites. This direct application atthe affected sites allows rapid modulation of the pain and inflammationof these chronic conditions.

A specific pain condition that has been effectively treated by the useof cannabis extract is fibromyalgia. This chronic debilitating conditioninvolves local pain at specific sites on the body. The use of thisextract allows stimulation of the CB2 receptor sites in the local painareas as well as stimulation of the CB1pns receptors. This disease,which is a combination of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions,responds extremely well to topical applications of cannabis extract.

Autoimmune diseases also seem to respond very well to the application ofcannabis extract. This is because of the action on the CB2 receptorswhich are located on several different cells lines in the immune system.Through the inhibition of TCF, alpha cannabis has a beneficial effect onpatients with multiple sclerosis and lupus. These severe and chronicautoimmune diseases have been shown in several studies to respond tosmoked cannabis. Topical application is effective without thepsychoactive side effects. By selective stimulation of the CB2 receptorsthe immune modulation effects of the cannabis extract have a beneficialeffect on multiple sclerosis and lupus without central nervous systemeffects.

Nausea and vomiting that are unresponsive to other medications have beenshown to be helped through the use of cannabis. The use of cannabisextract has a modulating effect on nausea and vomiting without thepsychoactive properties that smoking the Cannabis plant can cause in amammal. This has been shown to be especially useful in helping with theside effects of chemotherapy. Additionally, animal studies show anincrease in hunger and feeding behavior through the action of the CB2receptors.

Applying topical cannabis extract has a positive effect on the healingof psoriasis lesions. The cannabis plant contains resinous trichromestructures which are the source of cannabinoids, such astetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Devices and methods ofusing cannabis ideally seek to separate the trichromes from theaccompanying plant material. However, the plant material containsterpenoids and flavonoids, which provide desirable odor and flavor aswell as a beneficial synergistic entourage effect. The traditionalmethod of using cannabis has been to smoke the leaves and buds of theplant, but the combustion of the whole plant material introduces noxiouscomponents to the body in addition to desirable cannabinoids,terpenoids, and flavonoids.

To maximize the production and preservation of the cannabinoid,terpenoid, and flavonoid components, while minimizing the amount ofplant material, a number of extraction methods have been used. Rosinrefers to a resinous extract product created from an extraction processapplied to cannabis starting material that utilizes a combination ofheat and pressure. With cannabis, the heat and pressure method can beused either with flowers or less desirable leaves of the cannabis plantand can also be used to clean up water hash and sifted kief into afull-melt hash oil of high purity. The result is a translucent, sappy,and sometimes clear and brittle glass-like product. If executedcorrectly, rosin can rival or surpass the flavor, potency, quality, andyield of other solvent-based extraction products with increased safetyand ease. One reason for rosin's popularity is that it is a solvent-lesstechnique, so the process does not require the use of volatilehydrocarbon solvents. Instead, rosin uses a mechanical process involvingheat and pressure to extract the desired components from the plant.

Solvent extraction systems utilize light hydrocarbons such as butaneand/or propane as solvents. Often, these complex and mechanical systemsrequire a lengthy purge to safely remove most of the residual solventsfrom the final product. Rosin, however, simply uses heat and pressureand does not require additional processing, so the final product isclean and ready in minutes. When compared to butane hash oil (BHO), thetwo can be aesthetically indistinguishable. Rosin, when made properly,retains as many or more valuable terpenoids and flavonoids that providearoma and flavor, as well as clinically proven synergistic entourageeffects. However, rosin does not contain residual hydrocarbons, givingit an “organic” quality.

Processes based on the use of non-aqueous solvents to extract compoundsfrom plants are known and taught in the prior art. Solvents employed maybe miscible or immiscible with water and vary in efficacy. Techniquesused to extract compounds from plants include liquid and solidextraction, liquid and gas chromatography and other separation andfractioning techniques.

Traditionally, for plant materials, ethyl alcohol in variousconcentrations is used to extract active substances. Tinctures areethanol solutions easily produced and well described in most majorpharmacopoeias. Where the final concentration of alcohol is greater thanapproximately 20% by volume, the tincture remains microbiologicallystable and widely used in compounding prescriptions. Ethanol extractssubstances such as glycosides, flavonoids and alkaloid salts areexamples of compounds known to be biologically active. Ethanol alsoextracts considerable amounts of plant pigment, such as chlorophyll andcarotenoids. By using higher alcohol strengths, lipid-soluble materialmay be extracted. Tinctures typically contain less inert material thanmacerates or decoctions, but are still complex mixtures of plantchemical elements. Where alcohol is not required or desired, a tincturemay be evaporated to produce ethanol free extracts.

Lipid solvents are also used to extract lipid soluble chemical elementsfrom a Phyto-biomass. Examples are chlorinated solvents such asdichloromethane, chloroform, carbon-tetrachloride, hexane, ether,fluorinated hydrocarbons, and supercritical fluid extraction with inertagents such as carbon dioxide.

Using chlorinated solvents is highly disadvantageous for Phyto-biomassextraction because of extreme toxicity; and because for medicinal orpharmaceutical use such toxic solvents must be removed by various meansbefore administration. Hexane and other petroleum-based solvents havegood solvent activity; however, they must also be completely removedfrom any end product, and also carry the risk of fire and explosionduring use.

Distillation and sublimation have been widely used to separatecomponents of phytochemicals which have boiling points close to water.Chemical separation by distillation is widely used in the preparation ofessential oils and also petrochemicals. However, elevating temperaturesto extract a phytochemical from plant material or a phytochemicalcomposition is extremely undesirable and disadvantageous in many cases,as the temperature adversely affects or changes many phytochemicals andplant compounds. One process that results from using high temperaturesis decarboxylation of plant material. Decarboxylation is a chemicalreaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide(CO₂). Usually, decarboxylation refers to a reaction of carboxylicacids, such as removing a carbon atom from a carbon chain.

Presses have been used for extracting liquid from plant material tocreate concentrates. They are especially useful in solventlessoperations. Solvent-free products are often regarded as the superiorproduct for medical and palliative purposes due to their purity to theplant. Unlike other concentrated products, a solvent-free productcontains only what came from the plant. In doing so, this eliminates anyrisk of other compounds or chemicals interfering with a patient'streatment.

Cannabis extraction equipment now allows producers to create solventlessproducts for patients in an array of consumption methods. Today,solventless extraction equipment includes enhanced rosin tech andextends to pills and tinctures as well.

Often, presses used by industrial companies are motorized for efficientextraction. In the field of cannabinoids, home growers and amateur rosinpressers have no need for such industrial products, nor do they needsuch capacity or throughput. A manually-operated press allows users tomake concentrates with ease at home or anywhere and is therefore abetter alternative for such users to those industrial machines.Moreover, laboratories and production facilities often need a smallbatch solution to trial run a specific lot to verify yields beforecommitting to processing the rest of the lot. A manually-operated pressis an affordable tool to run small batch tests while not interferingwith production equipment.

Hand-operated presses, however, generally do not include ways formeasuring the force applied to the plant in the course of operation. Nordo such hand-operated presses have built-in indicators or alarms toindicate when a pressing force exceeds a predetermined value.

The process of separating resin glands from plants matter wasrevolutionized through the ages with the addition of water and ice. Handwashing has been the standard method for years, but standing over a drumand stirring back and forth can be very labor intensive and exhausting.The present invention exploits the fact that mechanical agitation hasadapted and transformed ancient techniques into the modern age.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2011/0256245 on application ofRosenblatt, et al. for METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS OF CANNABIS EXTRACTS,published on Oct. 20, 2011, discloses a method for obtaining an extractfrom a cannabis plant for medical uses. In one embodiment, a method forobtaining an extract from a cannabis plant for medical uses is provided.The method comprises (a) providing cannabis flower trimmings withtrichome material, (b) providing clean, cold water to at least covercannabis the cannabis flower trimmings, (c) agitating the mixture ofcannabis flower trimmings and water (d) soaking the cannabis flowertrimming in cold water for at least one minute, (e) removing cannabisflower trimmings from the water, (f) removing the trichome material fromthe water and (g) drying the trichome material to contain no more than10% total water weight.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2017/0051231 on application ofMancosky for METHOD OF EXTRACTING CBD, THC, AND OTHER COMPOUNDS FROMCANNABIS USING CONTROLLED CAVITATION, published on Feb. 23, 2017,discloses a method of extracting CBD, THC, desirable oils, and othercompounds from the cannabis plant includes drying the plant, grinding orchopping the plant, mixing the resulting pieces of the plant with afluid to form a mixture, circulating the mixture through a controlledcavitation reactor to liberate CBD, THC, desirable oils, and othercompounds from the pieces, and separating the liberated CBD, THC,desirable oils, and other compounds from the fluid. The method may beused as an adjunct to or in combination with traditional extractiontechniques such as leaching to increase yields.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2018/0094209 on application ofCarberry, et al. for Extraction of Essential Oils, published on Apr. 5,2018, discloses a method for extracting essential oils in whichessential oils are extracted from a biomass through milling in a solventto form a solution of the essential oil in the solvent. The solvent isor is part of a cover than reduces oxidative and other degradation ofthe essential oil during milling and isolation. The solubilizedessential oil may be allowed to adhere to the originating milled biomassto form a feed or nutritional supplement. The solvent may be evaporatedfrom the solubilized essential oil to form an essential oil concentrate.This essential oil concentrate may be used directly, adhered to adifferent biomass than the originating biomass, or used in combinationwith pharmaceutical, nutritional, or feed preparations. The essentialoil concentrate is preferably adhered to the different biomass throughmilling under a cover to reduce oxidative and other degradation. Theessential oil may be astaxanthin, capsaicin compounds, or cannabinoids.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2018/0369715 on application ofBruining for EXTRACTION DEVICE AND EXTRACTION METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OFCANNABIS, published on Dec. 27, 2018, discloses an extraction device forbringing cannabis into contact with an extraction fluid, wherein thedevice comprises a column provided with a bottom, and near the bottomwith a continuous hole through which the extraction fluid is able toflow out of the column under the influence of gravity. In that way forinstance oil can be extracted from cannabis.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,272,360 issued to Lopa for PHYTOCHEMICAL EXTRACTIONSYSTEM AND METHODS TO EXTRACT PHYTOCHEMICALS FROM PLANTS INCLUDINGPLANTS OF THE FAMILY CANNABACEAE SENSU STRICTO, issued on Apr. 30, 2019,discloses a method and system of and for extraction or removal ofphytochemicals from plants, including those of the plant familyCannabaceae. More specifically, a method and system are disclosed forextracting essential oils from plants, such as cannabis, without the useof a solvent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatusfor extracting cannabis essential oils. A housing is provided forcontaining trichome material from a cannabis plant, the housing having asealable opening. A rotatable impeller is disposed in the housing. Acontainer is connected to the housing for collecting essential oils. Theprocess for extracting cannabis essential oils includes the steps ofintroducing trichome material from the cannabis plant into the housing,introducing water and ice into the housing via an opening therein, andagitating the water and the trichome material to separate and extractessential oils therefrom.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus forextracting cannabis essential oils without the use of solvents.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedsystem that agitates trichome material from a cannabis plant, tofacilitate extracting oils from such material.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an impellerdisposed in the housing of such apparatus for effecting the agitation oftrichome material from the cannabis plant.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method ofextracting cannabis essential oils without the use of solvents byproviding an automated system that agitates trichome material from thecannabis plant.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are morereadily apparent with reference to the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for solventless extraction ofcannabis essential oils in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, front, cut-away view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, schematic view of components that comprise theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the components shown in FIG. 3 connectedto one another;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the inventive apparatus with flow meter;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the front and top views of an impeller foruse with the inventive apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, cut-away view of the inventive apparatus withinsulation;

FIG. 7A is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the inventiveapparatus;

FIG. 8 is a schematic, cut-away view of the inventive apparatus withdimpled jacket cooling system;

FIG. 9 is a schematic, partially cut-away view of the inventiveapparatus with a load cell;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a port hole hatch for use with theinventive apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the inventive apparatus with a remoteview camera;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the inventive apparatus with athermocouple;

FIG. 13 is a schematic, partially cut-away view of the inventiveapparatus with an ultrasonic frequency generator; and

FIG. 14 is a flow chart of operations in accordance with the presentinvention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the following detailed description contains specific detailsfor the purposes of illustration, those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that variations and alterations to the following detailsare within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the exemplaryembodiments of the invention described below are set forth without anyloss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, theclaimed invention.

An apparatus is provided for extracting cannabis essential oils. Ahousing is provided for containing trichome material from a cannabisplant, the housing having a sealable opening. A container is connectedto the housing for collecting essential oils. The process for extractingcannabis essential oils includes the steps of introducing trichomematerial from the cannabis plant into the housing, introducing water andice into the housing via an opening therein, and agitating the water andthe trichome material to separate and extract essential oils therefrom.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 , there are shown schematic views of anapparatus 10 for solventless extraction of cannabis essential oils inaccordance with the present invention.

A substantially cubical, hollow housing 12 (hereinafter “agitator” or“mixing vessel”) having an opening 14 at the top thereof and a closeablelid 16 is supported by a four-legged structure 18 to provide spacebetween the lower surface 20 of housing 12 and a surface on whichapparatus 10 rests. Housing 12 in the preferred embodiment issubstantially cubical in shape, but it should be understood that anygeometric shape can be used as a housing without departing from thescope of the invention. An output tube or pipe 22 is inserted in a lowerportion 24 of housing 12.

Positioned beneath lower surface 20 of housing 12 in the space betweenlower surface 20 of housing 12 and a surface on which apparatus 10 restsis a removable collection vessel 26 for receiving extracted essentialoils, not shown.

Referring still to FIG. 2 , there is shown a schematic, front, cut-awayview of inventive apparatus 10. A frustoconical mixing vessel 13 isdisposed in housing 12. An optional sight glass 31 or series thereof canbe installed in housing 12 and mixing vessel 13 so an operator, notshown, can view extraction operations as they are performed.

A lower portion 32 of mixing vessel 13 is tapered downwardly. At thelower extremity 34 of mixing vessel 13 and contained therein is disposedan impeller 36 and associated electrical motor 38 for actuation thereof.Impeller 36, in the preferred embodiment, is a Model MCI, manufacturedby the Magic City Machinery Company, although other suitable impellerscan be used, as is well known in the art. An output aperture 40 isformed at lower extremity 34 of mixing vessel 13. Disposed beneathoutput aperture 40 and supported by housing 12 is collection vessel 26.

Referring now also to FIG. 3 , optionally, a remote start, digital timercontrol and variable drive control 42 can be operatively connected toelectrical motor 38 (FIG. 2 ) to control operation thereof. Digitaltimer control and variable drive control 42, in the preferredembodiment, is a Model No. Logo, manufactured by the Siemens Company,although other suitable digital timer and variable drive controls can beused, as is well known in the art. A camera 44 under direction of remotestart, digital timer control, and variable drive control 42 can also beinstalled to monitor progress of agitation of the contents of mixingvessel 13. Camera 44, in the preferred embodiment, is a Model No. VS101, manufactured by the Heidenhain Company, although other suitablecameras can be used, as is well known in the art. When automated withthe foregoing elements, apparatus 10 can be one of several such devicesin a facility that can operate simultaneously.

Operatively connected to opening 14 is an overhead ice and waterdispenser unit 15, comprising a water supply 15′ and biomass supply 15″that provides reverse osmosis ice and water, when needed, to regulatetemperature, inter alia, of the contents of mixing vessel 13.

Referring now also to FIG. 4 , optionally, one or more sanitary pumps 46can be installed in operative relation to mixing vessel 13 via a two-wayfill valve 47′ for sanitization thereof between operative cycles.Sanitary pumps 46, in the preferred embodiment, are Model MCP,manufactured by the Magic City Machinery Company, although othersuitable sanitary pumps can be used, as is well known in the art.Sanitary pumps 46 are part of a system that includes a vibratory sifter47 and a stand-by reservoir 47″ operatively connected thereto forreceiving filtered liquid, not shown.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a flow meter 49 is disposed at the upperportion of mixing vessel 13. Flow meter 49, in the preferred embodiment,is a Model HFT, manufactured by the Dwyer Company, although othersuitable flow meters can be used, as is well known in the art.

Referring now also to FIG. 6 , the front and top views of impeller 36are illustrated.

Referring now also to FIG. 7 , suitable insulation 37 is placed aroundmixing vessel 13 inside housing 12.

Referring now also to FIG. 7A, there is shown an alternative embodimentof the invention, in which housing 12 is unitary, the lower portionthereof 26′ covering collection vessel 26 (FIG. 1 ) and impeller 36(FIG. 2 ). Digital timer control and variable drive control 42 ismounted on the front of apparatus 10.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , a suitable temperature gauge and control 48proximate and operatively connected to mixing vessel 13 can be installedto monitor the temperature of the contents of mixing vessel 13 before,during, and/or after an extraction cycle. Temperature gauge and control48, in the preferred embodiment, is a Model No. RTD-6, manufactured bythe Dwyer Company, although other suitable temperature gauge andcontrols can be used, as is well known in the art. A heating/chillerunit, which is part of a dimpled jacket cooling system 50 withultrasonic frequency generator 46, can be controlled by remote start,digital timer control and variable drive control 42 in response tocontinuous temperature readings of temperature gauge 48.

Referring now also to FIG. 9 , one or more piezo-electric load cells 52can also be installed in legs 18 supporting mixing vessel 13 to monitorthe quantity of trichome and/or water introduced thereinto. Load cells52, in the preferred embodiment, are Model LC302-1k, manufactured by theOmega Company, although other suitable load cells can be used, as iswell known in the art. Load cells 52 are also under the control ofremote start, digital timer control and variable drive control 42, ifdesired.

Referring now also to FIG. 10 , a perspective view of a port hole hatch51 is shown.

Referring now also to FIG. 11 , a remote view camera 44 can be attachedto lid 16 of apparatus 10 so the cannabis essential oil extractionprocess within mixing vessel 13 can be observed at a remote location.Remote view camera 44, in the preferred embodiment, is a Model No.VS-101, manufactured by the Heidenhain Company, although other suitablecameras can be used, as is well known in the art.

Referring now also to FIG. 12 , a thermocouple can be operativelyconnected to mixing vessel 13 to monitor temperature of the cannabisessential oil extraction process therein. Thermocouple, in the preferredembodiment, is a Model No. RTD-6, manufactured by the Dwyer Company,although other suitable thermocouples can be used, as is well known inthe art.

Referring now also to FIG. 13 , optionally, ultrasonic frequencygenerator 46 is operatively connected to mixing vessel 13 to impartultrasonic vibrations thereto in order to help facilitate agitation ofthe contents thereof. Ultrasonic generator 46, in the preferredembodiment, is a Model No. SweepSonik 3, manufactured by theBlackstone-NEY UltraSonics Company, although other suitable ultrasonicgenerators can be used, as is well known in the art. In someembodiments, ultrasonic generator 46 can be used in conjunction withimpeller 36 or, instead of impeller 36, to accomplish the requiredagitation of the contents of mixing vessel 13.

Referring now also to FIG. 14 , there is shown a flow chart ofoperations 100 in accordance with the invention. In operation, lid 16 isopened or removed, allowing cannabis trichomes, not shown, to beintroduced to mixing vessel 13 in housing 12. Reverse osmosis water andice are first introduced to fill approximately half of the capacity ofmixing vessel 13, step 102. The water and ice mixture are left in mixingvessel 13 to acclimate until the temperature thereof has reachedapproximately 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Biomass is then introduced into the agitator 12, step 104. Both waterand trichome material can also be controlled by remote start, digitaltimer control and variable drive control 42. The biomass can be placedin a 220-micron filter bag, not shown, with a heavy-duty zipper, toimprove the quality of the cold water trichome separations. An operator,not shown, has the option of directly introducing material into themachine 10. This semi-automatic procedure is known as running thematerial “raw.”

Additional ice and water are added to a fill line over the biomass, step106.

Once the material is introduced into the ice-cold water, a wash mode isinitiated, step 108, at which point impeller 36 is activated for apredetermined time to vigorously agitate the cannabis trichomes andwater, step 110, at which time the resign glands, which are denser thanthe water, separate from the plant material. Essential oils areextracted by gravity feed to collection vessel 26, the contents of whichmay be removed or drained.

The wash mode and duration of cycle are selected and the machine isstarted from the control panel, step 108. Machine cycles are fullycustomizable, depending on an operator's preference and thecharacteristics of the starting material. The system can be dialed infor the perfect amount of agitation for maximum yield.

Once the cycle is complete, the sanitary pump and sifter are turned on,step 112. The drain valve is opened to allow the flow of water to thetop of the vibratory sifter.

Once the water and resin gland mixtures are introduced into thevibratory sifter, they begin to be filtered through a series ofstainless-steel screens, step 114, with precise micron ratings via highfrequency vibrations in order to separate the different grades.

Catch cans are then emptied and labeled into special trays for thefreeze dryer, step 116. Freeze drying, also known as lyophilization orcryodesiccation, is a low temperature dehydration process that involvesfreezing the product, lowering pressure, then removing the ice bysublimation. After the product has come out of the freeze dryer, it isready for sale or consumption.

Optionally, a rosining procedure can be performed, step 118, forremoving any leftover particulate from the resin glands. Rosin is asolventless extract that uses heat and pressure to force the compoundswithin the trichome gland out of the cannabis plant, where all of theTHCA, other cannabinoids, and terpenes are located.

One or more of an electrical component associated with this apparatusmay comprise of: electrical motor 38, camera 44, ultrasonic frequencygenerator 46, load cells 52, overhead ice and water dispenser unit 15,sanitary pump 46, flow meter 49, temperature gauge and control 48, andheating/chiller unit 50.

All references throughout this application, for example patent documentsincluding issued or granted patents or equivalents; patent applicationpublications; and non-patent literature documents or other sourcematerial; are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to theextent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with thedisclosure in this application (for example, a reference that ispartially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for thepartially inconsistent portion of the reference).

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention inthe use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents ofthe features shown and described or portions thereof, but it isrecognized that various modifications are possible within the scope ofthe invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although thepresent invention has been specifically disclosed by preferredembodiments, exemplary embodiments and optional features, modificationand variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to bythose skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations areconsidered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by theappended claims. The specific embodiments provided herein are examplesof useful embodiments of the present invention and it will be apparentto one skilled in the art that the present invention may be carried outusing a great number of variations of the devices, device components,and method steps set forth in the present description. As will beobvious to one of skill in the art, methods and devices useful for thepresent methods can include a great number of optional composition andprocessing elements and steps.

Whenever a range is given in the specification, for example, atemperature range, a time range, or a composition or concentrationrange, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individualvalues included in the ranges given are intended to be included in thedisclosure. It will be understood that any subranges or individualvalues in a range or subrange that are included in the descriptionherein can be excluded from the claims herein.

All patents and publications mentioned in the specification areindicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to whichthe invention pertains. References cited herein are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety to indicate the state of the art asof their publication or filing date and it is intended that thisinformation can be employed herein, if needed, to exclude specificembodiments that are in the prior art. For example, when compositions ofmatter are claimed, it should be understood that compounds known andavailable in the art prior to Applicant's invention, including compoundsfor which an enabling disclosure is provided in the references citedherein, are not intended to be included in any composition of matterclaims herein.

As used herein, “comprising” is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As usedherein, “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient notspecified in the claim element. As used herein, “consisting essentiallyof” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affectthe basic and novel characteristics of the claim. In each instanceherein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of,” and“consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms. Theinvention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced inthe absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations whichis not specifically disclosed herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that startingmaterials, biological materials, reagents, synthetic methods,purification methods, analytical methods, assay methods, and biologicalmethods other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in thepractice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. Allart-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods areintended to be included in this invention. The terms and expressionswhich have been employed are used as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention hasbeen specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optionalfeatures, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosedmay be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that suchmodifications and variations are considered to be within the scope ofthis invention as defined by the appended claims.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which donot constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for extracting cannabis essentialoils, comprising: a) a housing for containing trichome material from acannabis plant, the housing having a sealable opening and a removablelid for covering the opening; b) a mixing vessel disposed in the housingfor containing the cannabis trichome material and water and a rotatableimpeller operatively connected thereto; c) a collection vesseloperatively connected to the housing for collecting essential oils; d) aremote start, digital timer control and variable drive control forcontrolling functions of one or more of an electrical componentassociated with the apparatus; and e) an electrical motor operativelyconnected to the remote start, digital timer control and variable drivecontrol and to the rotatable impeller for activation thereof.
 2. Theapparatus for extracting cannabis essential oils in accordance withclaim 1, further comprising: a) a camera operatively connected to theremote start, digital timer control and variable drive control formonitoring extraction operations as they occur.
 3. The apparatus forextracting cannabis essential oils in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising: a) an ultrasonic generator operatively connected to theremote start, digital timer control and variable drive control and tothe mixing vessel for introducing vibration to, and increasing agitationof, the contents in the mixing vessel.
 4. The apparatus for extractingcannabis essential oils in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:a) a sanitary pump operatively connected to the remote start, digitaltimer control and variable drive control for sanitizing the mixingvessel after an extraction cycle of the apparatus.
 5. The apparatus forextracting cannabis essential oils in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising: a) a temperature gauge proximate the mixing vessel andoperatively connected to the remote start, digital timer control andvariable drive control to continuously monitor the temperature of thecontents of the mixing vessel.
 6. The apparatus for extracting cannabisessential oils in accordance with claim 5, further comprising: a) aheater/chiller unit operatively connected to the remote start, digitaltimer control and variable drive control and to the temperature gauge tochange the temperature of the contents of the mixing vessel pursuant totemperature readings of the temperature gauge.
 7. The apparatus forextracting cannabis essential oils in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising: a) four piezo-electric load cells operatively connected tothe remote start, digital timer control and variable drive control andproximate the mixing vessel to monitor the quantity of trichome andwater introduced thereinto.